Kubiak believes assistant to be a head coach

Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak expressed confidence in offensive coordinator Rick Dennison's ability to become a future head coach in the NFL.

With the Texans winning their first round game against Cincinnati last Saturday, Dennison would be eligible to interview with teams beginning this Thursday. According to an ESPN report, the Bears have asked and received permission to speak with Dennison.

"I think he's been ready for awhile," Kubiak said at his Monday press conference. "I think Rick is a very smart guy. He's selective. I've been called on him for about three years in a row now, but I think Rick knows what he wants to do with his life and if he's going to take an opportunity to be a head coach, he's going to be selective in what he does. He's got a great background in the National Football League. He's a 10-year defensive player in the National Football League. He's been a special teams coach in the National Football League. He's been an offensive line coach. He's been an offensive coordinator. There's nothing this guy hasn't done. He would do an excellent job if he gets the opportunity."

Dennison was a finalist for the Denver head coaching job after the 2010 season, which was ultimately given to John Fox.

Prior to joining Houston in 2010, Dennison had spent his entire NFL coaching career with Denver, which began in 1995 as an offensive assistant under Mike Shanahan. Dennison's knowledge of the zone running scheme stems from Shanahan and Kubiak, which he has had success with most recently in Houston.

Dennison's experience in the NFL as a player and coach is why Kubiak thinks he'd be a good candidate for any NFL teams seeking him out.

"He's a guy that comes down here every day and puts it together with the players, teaches the plan, teaches his scheme, teaches what we do and coordinates everything with the offensive coaches and how we go about our business getting ready to play every week and then right there with me on game day calling plays and helping me out," Kubiak said. "He's the leader of what we do offensively."